Francis c



(N0 Model.)

P. 0. CASH. SWITCHING DEVICE FOR CARS.

N0. 451,888. Patented May 5,1891.

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Q UNITED STATES FRANCIS O. CASH,

PATENT OFFI E.

OF LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO CHARLES B. LORD, OF SAME PLACE.

SWITCHING DEVICE FOR CARS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 451,888, dated May 5, 1891.

Application filed January 9, 1891.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANCIS 0. CASH, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Lynn, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Switching Devices for Cars, of which the following is a specification.

It is the object of my invention to provide means under the control of the conductor or driver of a street-oar or a steam railroad-car for switching the car from the main track to a branch track upon one side or the other of the main track and leading in different directions without necessitating the hand operation of a switch, as now practiced, or a complex mechanism for operating said switch by means of horses attached to the car or by means which are entirely automatic.

The invention is particularly adapted for street-railway cars, though I do not limit myself in this connection, and it enables the driver or conductor to direct the car with certainty and without leaving his position either to the right or left of the main track, or, if desired, to maintain the car upon the main track.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate this invention, Figure 1 represents a plan view of the main track and branches to the right and left thereof. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a car containing my improved mechanism for switching the car. Fig. 3 is a section showing the means for operating the same.

In the drawings the main track is repre sented at A, the right-hand branch at B, and the left-hand branch at C. At the junction of the right-hand branch with the main track I provide a projecting switch-plate, which is provided with a flange formed on a curve substantially the same as that of the curve of the tracks of the branch. It islocated centrally of the rails of the branch track, its forward end beginning a little in rear of the branch-track rails points of junction with the rails of the main track.

Upon one of the axles of the car I provide a loose pulley D, which has limited lateral movement between collars a a, rigidly secured to the axle Z) of the car. This loose Serial No. 377,265. (No model.)

pulley is preferably made with a tapering flange, as shown at c, and is normally in aposition to be out of the path of the projections, and thus the car normally will be maintained 5 5 upon the main track. The movement of this pulley is controlled by the driver or conductor by the following mechanism: A rockshaft (Z is supported in suitable bearings e beneath the car, and from this rock-shaft an arm f depends, and between this arm and a loose ring g, carried on an extension of the hub of the pulley D, is a link h. The pulley D has a flange 2' on one side, and in the re oess between this flange and the wheel proper is located the loose ring g. It will thus be seen that when the shaft (1 is rocked that through the arm f and the link 71, the pulley D will be forced to the right or left, depend ing wholly upon the direction in which the shaft (Z is rocked, and this movement of the pulley D will place it in position to engage with the deflecting projection, and the car will then be turned from the main track onto the branch track. As the pulley D is permitted to revolve, being loose on the shaft, it serves as an anti-friction roller while it is in contact with the deflecting projection, and as it is continually changing its point of contact excessive wear is prevented and friction 8o lessened.

The rock-shaft is operated by means of cross-pieces Z, connected to the said rock-shaft and suporting upon each end an upright arm, which terminates in a foot or hand piece m. As the connect-ion between the cross-piece Z and the rock-shaft is rigid, it will be seen that by depressing one of the uprights the shaft d will be rocked and the pulley D shifted. In order to keep the pulley in a normal position, springs n are provided on each upright, thus maintaining the crosspieces and their operating-uprights in a horizontal position.

I have shown two cross-pieces, one at each end of the rock-shaft, with the foot-pieces, thus enabling the operator to shift the pulley, whether he be at one end or the other of the car; but it will be understood that it may be found sufficient to have the means at one end only to rock the shaft. It may also be desired to have two or more pulleys to each car, and this is within the scope of my invention but'[ may usebut one it this is found sufficient. It will be seen that the deflecting, projections do not come quite to the center of the main track, but are to one side thereof, so that as the pulley is maintained directly in the center normally by reason of the pressure exerted by the springs 71 the said pulley does not come into contact with these projections, and hence the car is kept on the main track until the pulley is forced to one side or the other.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is-- 1. In combination with projections secured between the tracks, a laterally-movable pulley, fixed collars for limiting its movement, a rock-shaft extending longitudinally of the car, with means for rockin the same, a flange 1' 011 the hub of the pulley, a loose ring carried by the hub of said pulley, and a connection between said ring and rock-shaft, substantially as described. I

2. In combination with curved-line projections secured between the main tracks to one side of the center thereof, a laterallymovable pulley, a rock-shaft controlling said movement, operating means extending from said rock-shaft to the floor of the car, and interposed springs adapted to maintain the pulley in its normal position centrally of the car-axle, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

FRANCIS 0. CASH. lVitnesses:

MAsoN 0. WHEELER, 0. H. WELoH. 

